Spun glass roofing mop



16, 1954 F. K. LOWER ET AL 2,671,922

SPUN GLASS ROOFING MOP Filed Jan. 22, 1946 7715/2 ATTOZNE Y Patented Mar. 16,1954

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE SPUN GLASS ROOFING MOP Application January 22, 1946, Serial No. 642,664

6 Claims. (01. -229) This invention relates to a mop and particularly a mop for spreading asphalt where it is subjected to severe use and extreme temperatures.

More in particular, the invention relates to a mop formed of twisted strands of continuous fibrous glass cord instead of the usual strands of cotton twill or fibre.

In applying asphalt to a roof or a wall surface, it is necessary that it be used in the molten state, and to be efficiently applied it should be used at temperatures ranging between 550 and 600 F. At these extreme temperatures the usual cotton twill or fibre mop deteriorates very rapidly and the average life thereof, designated in terms of surface covering, is for 1000 square feet of surface.

The flash point of asphalt is about 650 F. and, therefore, should the temperature exceed 600 F. there is danger of flashing with the usual mop. It has also been found that workmen starting in the morning endeavor to soften mops becoming stiff by setting overnight in the vat of hot asphalt and, unless they are softened with extreme care, the mops flash and burn.

The usual mops of cotton twill, fibre, or the like are absorptive and readily saturate with the material, thereby making cleaning substantially impossible and also causing considerable waste of material.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a mop particularly adapted for spreading asphalt, or like substances, which is nonabsorptive, which is noninflammable, and in which the asphalt functions as a lubricant lengthening the life of the strands instead of causing deterioration therein.

It has been found that continuous fibrous glass cord embodies these characteristics and a mop formed of strands thereof will not flash as it is noninflammable and will last indefinitely as the asphalt, functioning as a lubricant of the strands, insulates them against wear, thereby extending the life thereof.

Continuous fibrous glass cord lends itself to adsorption and the asphalt will only adhere thereto, so that mops formed thereof may readily be cleaned whereby they are always ready for reuse and the danger of burning is eliminated even if softening thereof is required.

It has been found that mops formed of continuous fibrous glass cord will wear indefinitely, such mops having been used to spread asphalt over 60,000 square feet of roof surface without showing wear.

Mops of this material will pick up more asphalt. from the container and at the same time release the asphalt more rapidly, thereby facilitating; spreading.

The asphalt may be used at wider ranges of temperature as the mop, being noninflammable, will not flash should the temperature exceed 600 F. Mops of spun glass will also hold heatlonger, than mops of cotton twill, and maintaining the higher temperature over a longer period of time thereby facilitates spreading the asphalt. As the mop does not absorb the asphalt, it may also be used with the asphalt at lower temperatures.

For these reasons the buckets or containers in which the hot asphalt is supplied to the workmen may be larger, thereby reducing the number of trips to the supply, and also the cost of application.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an improved mop for spreading asphalt and the like in which a plurality of strands of continuous fibrous glass cord are secured to the end of a handle with the adjoining portion of the handle insulated and with the binding or attaching elements also comprising continuous fibrous glass cord whereby all inflammable materials are removed from the immediate vicinity of the mop.

Another object is to provide a method of assembling a plurality of nonabsorptive, noninflammable strands on the end of a handle to form a mop, which is comparatively simple and economical.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing a side elevation of the mop as it would appear in use.

Figure 2 illustrates a method of attaching mop to the end of a handle.

Figure 3 shows a cross section through the mop and insulating sheath with the handle shown in elevation.

the

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, the mop I is mounted at the end of a handle H with the end of the handle protected by a sheath l2 and the sheath is separated from the handle by a heat insulating lining 13.

The mop I0 is formed of twisted strands of continuous fibrous glass cord and in the design shown these strands are placed around the end of the sheath I2 and bound by strands M of fibrous glass cord. The binding, consisting of the strands I4, is placed above pins l5 and I6 extending through the handle and sheath to secure the mop to the end of the handle. It will be understood, however, that any form of enlargement or other obstruction may be used to prevent the mop sliding from the end. The strands may then be doubled over and again secured by an outer binding I! of similar material. which provides double layers of strands. It will be understood that these layers of strands may be of any thickness and may contain any number of strands as desired, depending upon the size of mop required.

The thickness and length of the sheath [2 may also be in proportion to the type and temperature of materials with which the mop may be used, and these may be varied for mops manufactured for different purposes.

The handle is illustrated as formed of wood, and it will be understood that this may be of any material and may be made of any shape.

The design or construction of the mop, or the method of attaching the strands to the end of a handle, or the design or shape of the handle are immaterial, as this invention involves the use of spun glass as supplied in continuous fibrous glass cord for mops and the like.

The material is generally white but may be provided in any color or any combination of colors. Spun glass is not inflammable and not absorptive, and it has been found after long use in spreading asphalt on roof surfaces the white strands are still white at the core, the strands having been cut to test their absorptive qualities.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In .aroofing mop designed for the spreading of asphalt in a molten condition and at high temperatures, the combination of: a wooden handle; a protective sheath covering a portion of said handle at one end thereof; a layer of heat insulation between said sheath and said handle; pins extending through said handle, insulation, and sheath adjacent to the said one end of said handle, with the ends of said pins projecting outwardly of said sheath; aplurality of strands ,of spun glass fibres which are non-inflammable at said high temperatures and substantially not affected thereby, said fibres being non-absorbent with respect to said asphalt, with the fibres being adapted to be lubricated by said asphalt, said strands being arranged with the intermediate portions thereof disposed about said sheath and pins; a glass fibre cord encircling said strands on the side of said projecting pins remote from the ,more .closely adjacent end of said sheath; saidstrands being folded beckon themselves-over said cord; and a second glass fibre cord encircling said folded back portions on the side of said pins more closely adjacent the said end of said sheath to securely bind said intermediate portions of said strands thereto.

2. In a roofing mop designed for the spreading of asphalt in a molten condition and at high temperatures, the combination of: a wooden handle; a protective sheath covering a portion of said handle at one end thereof; a layer of heat insulation between said sheath and said handle; pins extending through said handle, insulation, and sheath, with the ends of said pins projecting outwardly of said sheath; a plurality of strands of spun glass fibres which are non-inflammable at said high temperatures and substantially not afiected thereby, said fibres being non-absorbent with respect to said asphalt, with the fibres being adapted to be lubricated by said asphalt, said strands being arranged with the intermediate portions thereof disposed about said sheath; and glass fibre cords cooperating with the projecting ends of said pins to bind said intermediate portions to said sheath.

3. In a roofing mop designed for the spreading of asphalt in a molten condition and at high temperatures, the combination of: a wooden handle; a protective sheath covering a portion of said handle at one end thereof; pins extending through said handle, and sheath, with the ends of said pins projecting outwardly of said sheath; a plurality of strands of spun glass fibres which are non-inflammable at said high temperatures and substantially not affected thereby, said fibres being non-absorbent with respect to said asphalt, with the fibres being adapted to be lubricated by said asphalt, said strands being arranged with the intermediate portions thereof disposed about said sheath; and glass fibre cords cooperating with the projecting ends of said pins to bind said intermediate portions to said sheath.

4. In a roofing mop designed for the spreading of asphalt in a molten condition and at high temperatures, the combination of: a handle; a plurality of strands of spnn glass fibres which are non-inflammable at said temperatures and substantially not affected thereby, non-absorbent with respect to said molten asphalt, and adapted to be lubricated thereby; and a glass fibre cord binding the intermediate portions of said strands to said handle adjacent one end thereof.

5. In ,a roofin mop designed for use with roofing materials in a molten condition and at high temperatures, the combination of: a handle; a plurality of strands of spun glass fibres which are non-inflammable at said high temperatures and substantially not affected thereby, said fibres being non-absorbent with respect to said materials but adapted to be lubricated thereby, said strands being arranged with the intermediate portions thereof encircling said handle at one .end thereof; and means for anchoring said-intermediate portions of said strands to said handle.

'6. In a roofing mop designed for the spreading of asphalt in a molten condition and at high temperatures, the combination of: a handle; a plurality of long highly flexible strands of spun glass fibres which are non-inflammable at said high temperatures and substantially not affected thereby, non-absorbent with respect to said molten asphalt, and adapted to be lubricated thereby; and means for anchoring said strands to said'handle, saidanchoring means leaving the major portion of said strands exposed, free and,

unrestricted for the extreme flexing movement which is inherent to the use of a roofing mop.

FRANK K. LOWER. THOMAS R. I-IA'IZ, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Hammesfahr Sept. 14, 1880 Iriek et al. Mar. 7, 1911 Courtney May 1, 191'? Rheinberger 'Nov. 16, 1920 Firtion Mar. 14, 1933 Baird et a1. Oct. 11, 1938 Number OTHER REFERENCES Publication, Modern Plastics, May 1944; page 100. Article entitled Forms, Properties and. Handling of Glass Reinforcements. Division 67 of the U. S. Patent Ofiice.)

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